Not sure what iPad to choose for Dines? Fear not - we’ve got your back! Our brief guide below is designed to help steer you in the right direction. In this article, we will highlight necessary features which you should consider, point you towards some handy resources, and wrap up with a few recommendations to simplify the decision-making.
Please Note: It is also possible to use Dines for Venues on iPhone! The below article will only focus on iPads, however.
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What to Consider When Buying an iPad
Suggested iPads for Dines Compatibility
What to Consider When Buying an iPad
When buying an iPad for your Dines needs, we believe that the three most important factors to consider are Performance, Software Compatibility, and Battery Life.
For Performance, this means having the latest processor and hardware. If you are running a busy venue where a swift turnaround time from order to payment is important, it is always wise to prioritise performance.
Without getting too far into the geeky stuff, the iPad's chip, known as the A-Series chip, is key. Simply put, the higher the number, the faster the device operates. For example, an A14 chip (the latest) will outperform an A12 greatly. The higher the chip number, the faster you will be able to process transactions on the Dines app.
Software Compatibility is important because it ensures that your device can run the latest features and updates of the Dines app smoothly. Without compatibility, you may miss out on essential functionality and security enhancements, and bugs may become more common.
Currently, Dines supports iOS versions back to iOS 15. However, we must stress that it is important to purchase an iPad that can upgrade to iOS 17. As iPads age, they become incompatible with future updates more swiftly, due to the constant release of newer models. Therefore, if your iOS device cannot update to the latest software version, you may not be able to use Dines at all.
Battery Life may be more self-explanatory: the higher the battery life, the longer your iPad will operate before needing a recharge. While this may not be a concern if your iPad remains stationary and connected to a charger, it becomes more crucial in scenarios where mobility is important. For example, if your staff are frequently taking orders on the go or working in areas without easy access to power outlets (e.g. a car park), a longer battery life becomes invaluable.
Features such as storage space and camera quality are far less critical if you are using the iPad specifically for running Dines. The Dines app is only 46.5MB, meaning that even the smallest option for storage space of an iPad (32GB) will be ample. Similarly, camera quality doesn’t matter too much - as long as there is a camera! When using the Dines app, the camera will come in handy when scanning QR codes for importing and exporting Custom Device Settings. However, you certainly won’t need a top-notch camera to do that.
Websites
There are plenty of places online to source your iPad. To help narrow things down - here are what we feel are the best websites to visit for purchasing iPads.
- Backmarket: Specialises in refurbished models of iPads. All iPads sold here are fully functional and go through testing by certified professionals. This means that you can get a good bit of kit for a fraction of the normal RRP.
- Amazon: Offers both refurbished and new iPads stemming from several generations.
- Currys: Offers only fresh-out-the-box iPads, which can get more expensive, but ensures that they are in tip-top factory condition.
The website GSM Arena is also a handy resource if you wish to get into the nitty-gritty of iPad functionality. It gives detailed specs on iPads and even offers a very handy comparison tool, allowing you to compare the specs of different iPad versions side-by-side on one page.
Suggested iPads for Dines Compatibility
At the time of writing (April 2024), iPads are currently in their 10th generation. The main difference you’ll find across iPad generations is in the efficiency of transactions processed on the Dines app. For example, a 10th-generation iPad can complete five transactions in the time that it would take a 6th-generation to complete three.
Spending more on an iPad means that you’re investing in better quality, performance and longevity. The newer iPads below will last longer due to the advancements in their technology, and will perform far better when it comes to processing payments etc on Dines.
On the other hand, cheaper iPads may be a handy option for situations where the devices are more prone to day-to-day damage, e.g., a drop or a spilled drink! They might not be as fast or last as long as the others, but they’ll still certainly get the job done.
Below are a few examples to help you strike the right balance between your requirements budget. We are confident that the options below will run the Dines For Venues app without issue.
iPad 10.9 (10th-Generation)
The latest generation of iPad. While this is the most expensive offering, it is by far the fastest device available presently on the market. It has an A14 chip, can be upgraded to the latest iPad OS (iOS 17), and has a rough battery life of 10 hours without charge.
Backmarket: £349
Amazon: £324
Currys: £379
iPad 10.2 (9th-Generation)
Released in 2021, this is the next-best generation of iPad. It will not be as fast as the 10th-generation iPad above, but still boasts a powerful A13 chip. As standard it comes with iOS 15 pre-installed, but can still currently upgrade to the latest OS. It also has a battery life of up to 10 hours.
Backmarket: £267.64
Amazon: £308.99
Currys: £319
iPad 10.2 (8th-Generation)
This version was introduced in 2020. It has an A12 chip, but comes with iOS 14 as standard. It is still possible to upgrade to the latest OS on this device, and we must note that this will be 100% necessary in order to use the Dines for Venues app. This is because we do not support any iOS prior to 15. Like the others above, it has a battery life of up to 10 hours.
One important consideration with this is future proofing, e.g., longevity in terms of receiving future iOS updates, especially as newer models are phased in. The longevity of iPads and the latest software updates can vary, but a common estimate is somewhere between 5 and 6 years after they were first released.
Backmarket: £185
Amazon: £205
Not currently available from Currys.
iPad Mini 8.3 (6th-Generation)
This is the priciest option on our list, but it may also be the most practical depending on your situation. This is a much smaller model compared to the examples above (between 22% and 31% smaller), making it easier to hold and maneuver when on the move.
It has an A15 chip - the fastest of all the options - and can upgrade to the latest OS. It also boasts up to 10 hours battery life.
Backmarket: £360
Amazon: £419.99
Currys: £529
The above should hopefully give you enough context and knowledge to purchase an iPad for your venue. At the same time however, we understand that there is quite a lot of information to digest, so if you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to give us a shout.
You can contact us via email at care@dines.co.uk, use our Live Chat service here, or message us via WhatsApp on 07822 002783. We’re always happy to help.